Jigsaw puzzle

ABSTRACT

A jigsaw puzzle is provided comprising a generally cylindrical support, a jigsaw puzzle formed into the shape of a cylindrical sleeve overlying the support and divided into a plurality of interrelated jigsaw puzzle elements and a transparent plastic sleeve in overlying and sliding engagement to said puzzle and underlying support. A process for forming and assembling the puzzle is also provided which includes the steps of applying a puzzle in sheet form to the surface of a cylindrical support member, the puzzle being applied in conjunction with a transparent plastic sleeve element which overlies and retains the puzzle in overlying and conforming relationship to the support element.

United States Patent Moravick et al.

[ JIGSAW PUZZLE 72 Inventors: Donald w. Moi-@1611, 625 N. Michigan Ave.,Chicago, Ill. 60611; Leon M. Levy, 2047 N. Dayton St., Chicago, II].60614 [22] Filed: April 22, l97l [2i] 7 Appl. No 136,360

52 us. 01 273/157 11, 206/46 AM 511 1m. (:1. ..A631 9/10 58 Field 61Search ..273/157 R, 157 A; 46/11 206/46 AM [56] l teferences CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 121,936 12/1871 Fisher ..273/157 R 2,041,0305/1936 Strutton ..273/157 R 2,931,657 4/1960 Lewis "273/155- 3,550,94512/1970 Resnick ..273/157 R 1 1 Dec. 5, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 652,969 5/ 1951 Great Britain ..273/ 157 R PrimaryExaminer-Anton O. Oeschsle Att0rneyPendleton, Neuman, Williams &Anderson [5 7] ABSTRACT A jigsaw puzzle is provided comprising agenerallycylindrical support, a jigsaw puzzle formed into the shape of acylindrical sleeve overlying the support and divided into a plurality ofinterrelated jigsaw puzzle elements and a transparent plastic sleeve inoverlying and sliding engagement to said puzzle and underlying support.A process for fonning and assembling the puzzle is also provided whichincludes the steps of applying a puzzle in sheet form to the surface ofa cylindrical support, member, the puzzle being applied in conjunctionwith a transparent plastic sleeve element which overlies and retains thepuzzle in overlying and confonningrelationship to the support element.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures JIGSAW PUZZLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 72. Description of the Prior Art Jigsaw puzzles of the type which includea sheet of paperboard or other similar material in planar form andhaving a pictorial or other printed representation on one surfacethereof and divided into aplurality of interrelated and customarilyinterlocking pieces are known. The generally most commonforrn of thispuzzle is in a planar orflat sheetand the person working the puzzle doesso on a flat supporting surface such as a table. Other puzzle structuresare also known wherein the example, a disc or circular form, triangular,octagons, pentagons, hexagons, and the like. Three-dimensional puzzleforms are also known which require a supporting surface to which theinterrelated puzzle elements are affixed to form the three-dimensionalshape. Exemplary of such structures are U. S. Pat. No. 2,957,251, whichrelates to a globe puzzle in which various interrelated jigsaw puzzleelements are provided with clips on one concave or spherical surface andpictorial printing appears on the other or convex surfaceThe clips areso arranged so that they can be fitted into slots which are regularlyformed in the surface of a sphere or a globe. When the puzzle iscompleted by assembly of all of the pieces, which includes the steps ofaffixing them in their appropriate and respective slots, the worker willhave formed a printed globe of the world with map illustrations as theprinted subject matter on the outer or convex surface thereof.Similarly, U. S. Pat. No. 2,987,318 discloses another globe-type puzzlewherein puzzle elements are carried away from the centralsupportingelement by means of rods so that the onlysupport for each puzzle elementis a hole in a supporting sphere or base into which oneend of the rod isaffixed, the other end bearing the printed puzzle element. In thisinstance what is formed is a structure which is a spherical orspheroidal base or support element and a spaced spheroidal or sphericalshell surrounding the support element and spaced therefrom by the rodsor projecting means attached to each puzzle element.

None of the prior art structures are directed to cylindrical puzzles inwhich a cylindrical support means is employed as a working base and afollower or sleeve means is included to retain the puzzle elements inplace while assembling the same on the support means.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a jigsaw puzzlecomprising a generally cylindrical support means, a jigsaw puzzle meansin the shape of a sleeve overlying said support means and divided into aplurality of interrelated jigsaw puzzle elements and a transparentplastic sleeve in overlying and sliding engagement to said puzzle andsupport means.

The present invention also relates to a process for forming athree-dimensional cylindrical jigsaw-type puzzle which includes applyinga jigsaw puzzle means in sheet form to a generally cylindrical supportelement in overlying. relationship thereto so that the ends of thepuzzle overwrap about on the surface of the support and sheathing thesupport and overlying puzzle means with an overlying transparentcylindrical plastic sleeve 0 slideably removable therefrom to retain thepuzzle puzzle is in other planar geometric forms suchas, for

means on the support element.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide ajigsaw-type puzzle in cylindrical form which may be worked without theuse of adhesives, clips or otherfastening elements affixed to the puzzleelements to adhere the puzzle to the support base.

It is another object of the present invention to pro vide a gamestructure which is adaptable as a part of a commodity package whereinthe cylindrical support element may be andpreferably is a container suchas, for example, a tin can or the like which contains a comestible orother edible commodity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is now made to the drawingswherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the puzzle of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the puzzle of FIG. 1 showing the samewith the plastic sleeve partially removed and the puzzle partiallyassembled.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are puzzle elements in perspective which are removed fromthe partially assembled puzzle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 isa top plan view of a strip of puzzle means as the same isintended to be formed as a repeating unit of a continuous strip offiberboard or other material showing a two-completed puzzle meanssectors as the same would be affixed to a cylindrical surface.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference ismade to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein there isillustrated in FIG. 1 a completed puzzle assembly 10 including a supportmeans 12 in the form of a cylinder, in this illustrated instance a tincan; a puzzle means 14 comprised of a plurality of interrelatedjigsawfpuzzle elements 16 in surrounding or encompassing engagement withthe support element 12; and a plastic sleeve 8 encasing the supportmeans and puzzle means.

In FIG. 2 the plastic sleeve 18 is shown partially withdrawn andportions of the puzzle elements 16 partially assembled on the surface 13of the support structure 12. The puzzle elements 16a and 16b in FIGS. 3and 4 are removed from the puzzle structure and would normally be placedin the spaces on the surface designated as 12a and 12b respectively.

As shown the support means 12 comprises acylinder 13 having sealed ends19 and 20. In a preferred embodiment the support structure is a foodcontainer known commonly as a tin can which could be used to containsoft drinks, food or the like. The tin can would have the customarybrand identification lithographed on the surface thereof in the nonnallabel identification. The puzzle itself is preferably and normallyformed of fiberboard or paperboard and have lithographed on the surfacethereof a pictorial representation. While the support element ofsubstrate is a tin can in the preferred illustrated embodiment, itshould be understood that other substrates could be used such as acylinder closed at one end or open at both ends or a solid material suchas plastic foam, i.e., polystyrene or polyurethane foam.

Normally the user would purchase the puzzle structure in its assembledform comprising a base or support element 12, puzzle means 14 and sleeve18. The various puzzle elements 16 of puzzle means 14 would be.

disassembled by removing the sleeve 18 and the units 16 be reassembledby the puzzle worker by applying them to one end of the surface of thecylindrical support means 12 and retaining them in place by graduallysliding the sleeve in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2.

' The puzzle unit 14 is applied to the surface 13 of the support 12 byconventional techniques whereby the support is rotated axially and thepuzzle unit applied and conformed to the cylindrical surface. In FIG. astrip designated 26 is illustrated with two separate units bracketed anddesignated as 28. The plastic cylindrical sleeve 18 shown in FIGS. 1 and2 is preferably applied division lines designated 30 which divided thepuzzle units 28 in the strip 26. In this unit the edges 32 are parallelto each other and the division lines 30 are also parallel to each otherto form rectangular units 28. If desired, the division lines 30 can beat an angle to the edges 32 to thereby form a rhomboid or parallelogramshape,.or may be curved. If desired, the continuous strip of puzzleunits 26 may have interlocking tabs 34 with corresponding notches 36 toprovide an interlock at the division line, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

When the strip 26 is die cut to form the various puzzle elements 16 ofpuzzle unit 14, the cut may be such as toretain small portions of puzzleunit material as inter-connecting bridges to hold the puzzle unittogether for assembly purposes but sufficiently minor so that when thesleeve is removed, the puzzle elements are easily broken apart. The diecut at the division lines 30, however, would be complete to facilitatemanufacture and application to the support 12. After the puzzle unit26is applied to the support 12, it is retained in place by a cylindricalplastic sleeve.

Alternatively, if desired, the puzzle unit 14 may by applied to thearcuate surface 13 of support 12 using a weak bond adhesive that can beeasily broken. The plastic sleeve can then be applied in a separatestep.

The plastic sleeve material is a transparent plastic, which isself-supporting so that the sleeve retains its cylindrical shape afterremoval. Plastics such as cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate-butyrate,or the like may be employed. While the sleeve is preferably continuous,it may contain perforations to permit escape of moisture in manufactureas described below.

The puzzle unit is preferably made from fiber or paperboard so that itmay be readily handled and applied but retain its curvilinear cast afterhaving been applied to the surface of the support member 12. Theaddition of moisture by means of a spray or steam jet to the paperboardpuzzle unit aids in softening the same to form it to the support and ondrying the puzzle unit retains its Set or shape.

It is intended that the outer cylindrical surface of the puzzle member 14 to be lithographed or printed with a over puzzle unit 14. The strip 26is cut or sectorized by v suitable picture or design to provide clues tothe assembly of the puzzle which is the normal entertainment factorinvolved in such structures.

While the support means 12 may be any generally cylindrical structuresuch as, for example, a hollow paperboard or plastic tube or even asolid such as polystyrene, one preferred structure is where the supportmember 12 is a container or can for commodities, especially ediblecommodities such as a soft drink (i.e., cola, orange drink) asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The can would have the normal lithographedbrand identification or label applied to the cylindrical surface 13thereof and the puzzle 14 with a variety of printed illustrationsapplied thereon. If desired, a plurality of printed designs could beincluded in a six-pack unit of the soft drink.

What is claimed is:

l. A cylindrical jigsaw puzzle construction compris- 1n a generallycylindrical support means;

b. a jigsaw puzzle means in the shape of a sleeve overlying said supportmeans and divided into a plurality of interrelated jigsaw puzzleelements; and I c. a transparent plastic sleeve in overlying and slidingengagement to said puzzle and support means. 2. A puzzle constructionaccording to claim 1 wherein said cylindrical support means is a rightcircular cylinder.

3. A puzzle construction according to claim 1 wherein the cylindricalsupport means is a container.

4. A puzzle construction according to claim 3 wherein the support meansis a right circular cylindrical container sealed at each end thereof.

5. A puzzle construction according to claim 1 wherein the puzzle means(b) is in the form of a right circular cylindrical sleeve.

6. A puzzle construction. according to claim 5 wherein the puzzleelements are in interlocking relationship.

7. A puzzle construction according to claim 5 wherein said cylindricalsupport means (a) is a paperboard sleeve.

8. A puzzle construction according to claim 1 wherein said puzzleelement (b) has a pictorial representation printed on the outer surfacethereof.

9. A puzzle construction according to claim 1 wherein said transparentsleeve (c) is adapted for sliding and securing engagement with thesupport means (a) and overlying puzzle means (b) and is adapted to holdpuzzle elements of the puzzle means (b) as they are fitted together onthe support surface during puzzle assembly and movable axially along thesupport as assembly progresses.

10. A puzzle according to claim 1 wherein said transparent sleeve (c) isself-supporting plastic.

11. A puzzle according to claim 10 wherein opposed abutting edges of thepuzzle means are interlocked by one or more interlocking puzzle sectorson one or more puzzle elements.

12. A process for forming a cylindrical jigsaw puzzle construction whichcomprises:

1. providing a cylindrical support member in the shape of a rightcylinder;

2. applying a jigsaw puzzle means to the cylindrical surface of saidsupport to cover the entire cylindrical surface thereof; and

3. securing the puzzle means to the surface of said support byengagingthe same with a cylindrical 5 transparent plastic sleeve.

1. A cylindrical jigsaw puzzle construction comprising: a. a generallycylindrical support means; b. a jigsaw puzzle means in the shape of asleeve overlying said support means and divided into a plurality ofinterrelated jigsaw puzzle elements; and c. a transparent plastic sleevein overlying and sliding engagement to said puzzle and support means. 2.A puzzle construction according to claim 1 wherein said cylindricalsupport means is a right circular cylinder.
 2. applying a jigsaw puzzlemeans to the cylindrical surface of said support to cover the entirecylindrical surface thereof; and
 3. securing the puzzle means to thesurface of said support by engaging the same with a cylindricaltransparent plastic sleeve.
 3. A puzzle construction according to claim1 wherein the cylindrical support means is a container.
 4. A puzzleconstruction according to claim 3 wherein the support means is a rightcircular cylindrical container sealed at each end thereof.
 5. A puzzleconstruction according to claim 1 wherein the puzzle means (b) is in theform of a right circular cylindrical sleeve.
 6. A puzzle constructionaccording to claim 5 wherein the puzzle elements are in interlockingrelationship.
 7. A puzzle construction according to claim 5 wherein saidcylindrical support means (a) is a paperboard sleeve.
 8. A puzzleconstruction according to claim 1 wherein said puzzle element (b) has apictorial representation printed on the outer surface thereof.
 9. Apuzzle construction according to claim 1 wherein said transparent sleeve(c) is adapted for sliding and securing engagement with the supportmeans (a) and overlying puzzle means (b) and is adapted to hold puzzleelements of the puzzle means (b) as they are fitted together on thesupport surface during puzzle assembly and movable axially along thesupport as assembly progresses.
 10. A puzzle according to claim 1wherein said transparent sleeve (c) is self-supporting plastic.
 11. Apuzzle according to claim 10 wherein opposed abutting edges of thepuzzle means are interlocked by one or more interlocking puzzle sectorson one or more puzzle elements.
 12. A process for forming a cylindricaljigsaw puzzle construction which comprises: